In a historical night, where America signaled they wanted change and elected the first African-American, President-elect Barack Obama, Californians also proved that they wanted some positive change by supporting Proposition 2. On the California ballot was Proposition 2 (The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act), a bill sponsored by Californians for Humane Farms calling for more better conditions for farm animals.
The controversial proposition asked that farm animals – in particular caged factory farm animals – be granted basic humane conditions. The bill addresses gestation crates where sows are confined during pregnancy, veal crates where calves are severely restricted during their short lives and battery hen cages where each chicken lives in an area no larger than a standard sized piece of computer paper.
Proposition 2 is far from a radical proposal, some would argue that is extremely modest in scope and scale of the measures for factory farm animals, yet there has been a great deal of opposition from factory farmers worried about increased costs for housing the animals humanely. Farmers using these severe confinement methods have until 2015 to shift to more humane practices.
Under new regulations, calves raised for veal, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens will be given enough space to turn around, lie down, and stretch their limbs. Similar laws have already been passed in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, and throughout the European Union’s 27 member countries.
Farm Sanctuary’s President and Co-Founder Gene Baur released a statement on the Prop 2 victory:
The passage of Prop 2 in the country’s largest agricultural state marks a monumental victory for farm animals. This campaign did an amazing job of raising public awareness about the cruel treatment farm animals endure at the hands of an industry that has consistently fought meaningful change for animals. Farm Sanctuary supporters and campaign volunteers have seen California voters respond with reason and compassion agreeing that all animals deserve humane treatment. Today marks a significant change in the way we view and treat farm animals and falls closer in line with public sentiments and values of compassion. We look forward to seeing these confinement systems phased out nationwide.
The YES! on Prop 2 campaign has been the greatest undertaking on behalf of farm animals in U.S. history, raising enough public awareness and support to end three of the cruelest confinement systems with one ballot measure in spite of massive funding from the industry–backed opposition. Media outlets throughout the state and nationwide have covered Prop 2 and thousands of campaign volunteers have hit the streets consistently during the past several months to raise public awareness about farm animal protection issues.
Visit: http://www.yesonprop2.com/
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